Caitlin Clark exits preseason game after collision with Wings defender
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Indiana Fever star guard Caitlin Clark left the game after colliding with one of her players during a preseason game against the Dallas Wings on Thursday night.
In the third quarter of the game, Clark was seen limping off the court after taking a three-pointer and landing on the foot of Wings star defender Alanna Smith. During the descent, Clark told reporters after the 95-80 loss that he hit his knee hard when he fell to the ground following a foul from Smith.
Clark rolled onto the field and tried to walk away as he made his way to the Fever bench. Officials eventually reviewed the play and awarded Smith, the WNBA co-Defensive Player of the Year, a Flagrant 1 foul for failing to provide a safe landing area after the shot on Clark.
CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark takes a shot in the second half against the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on April 30, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
Clark left the game with less than eight minutes left in the third quarter.
Although he missed most of the second half, he finished the game with 21 points, his team’s highest score. Clark hit two of her three-point attempts while going 11-of-13 from the free throw line. He also recorded two rebounds, four assists and one steal in the contest.
Since this was a preseason matchup, Fever fans were currently holding their collective breath for Clark, especially considering the tumultuous season he had in 2025.
CAITLIN CLARK RETURNS TO WNBA COMPETITION IN 2025 AFTER INJURY IN PRE-FIRE GAME
Clark played just 13 games during his sophomore season; This was far from what she had hoped for after winning the WNBA Rookie of the Year award and breaking the single-season assist record in 2024.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever brings the ball up the court against Odyssey Sims of the Dallas Wings during a preseason game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 30, 2026. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
However, it appears that Clark escaped serious injury that would have occurred in this situation. Being in someone’s landing zone after a throw can cause serious injuries, especially twisted ankles.
Fever head coach Stephanie White appeared unwilling to push Clark and sat her the rest of the way.
The Fever still have one more pre-season match on their schedule as they face the Nigerian national team on Saturday. It’s time for regular season basketball, with the Fever’s record-breaking first game against the same Wings in Dallas on May 9th.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark questions the delay in the play call against the Dallas Wings during a preseason game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 30. (Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire)
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
The Wings are an interesting team to watch; Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, is reuniting with UConn teammate Paige Bueckers to begin her professional journey. Bueckers led the Wings with 20 points on Thursday night, while Fudd finished the game with four points.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports streaming on X and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
